Laverty signs with new-look Hawk
Added on Thursday, December 11th, 2008 by Carole Nash Editor
Laverty signs with new-look Hawk
Daily Star Cup winner John Laverty will ride for Hawk Kawasaki in the 2009 British Superbike Championship as the team undergoes major changes ahead of the new season.
Laverty has switched from the North West 200 Ducati team, amid confusion over the manufacturer’s future involvement in the championship, and will pair up with Tristan Palmer at the Kawasaki team.
Following the decision for Ducati to pull out of their relationship with GSE Racing, there remains doubt as to whether the Italian manufacturer will continue to support the British domestic championship next season – posing serious threats to the further of the North West 200 Ducati team.
The signing represents a major coup for the Hawk team, with Laverty’s signing also bringing new title sponsorship in the form of builder’s merchants Buildbase.
Buildbase, Laverty’s sponsors at Ducati last year, will follow the rider to his new team, with Hawk rebranding themselves at Buildbase Kawasaki for the new season.
Team Principal Stuart Hicken said: “I am over the moon to secure a title sponsor such as Buildbase and to have two riders of the calibre of John and Tristan is fantastic. The whole team are a hundred percent motivated and I am very confident both riders will have a great season. Our test program starts in February with a one week test planned at Cartagena and we can’t wait to get going.”
Speaking on behalf of Buildbase, Stephen Thompstone added: “It’s great to have Tristan and John riding for Buildbase Kawasaki. Both riders have a great history with Buildbase and we are looking forward to an enjoyable and successful season in 2009.”
